New railway system planned for Boracay!

The rehabilitation of the Panay railway system, which covers existing tracks between Iloilo and Roxas City in Capiz, could start this year after Congress enacted the National Railways Act last year. Built by the United States, the railway system ceased operating more than 15 years ago due to financial losses.

The project will provide the best alternative to road transportation, with ridership forecasts reaching 42,338 passengers daily. It could also carry 63,992 tons of cargo every day.

The construction period will run from 2006 to 2008, and the railway system is set to start operating in 2009. Construction will be in several phases: the railway from Iloilo to Roxas City will be the first to be laid out, followed by the segment from Roxas City to Kalibo, and then from Kalibo to Caticlan, the gateway to Boracay island.